The Proteas captain produced one of the finest innings of his career, rescuing his side from 110-6 and laying the foundation for an innings-and-31-run victory at St George’s Park.

Bavuma walked to the crease at 12-2 on the opening day and spent more than nine hours at the wicket, facing 334 deliveries and striking 18 fours and a six.

His 179 surpassed his previous Test best of 172 against the West Indies in 2023 and became the highest individual score by a South African captain against Australia.

It was also his fifth Test century, four of which have come since he took over the captaincy.

The 36-year-old found support from Marco Jansen, who struck 85 in a 132-run seventh-wicket partnership, before combining with Simon Harmer for a record 183-run eighth-wicket stand.

Harmer contributed 82 as South Africa recovered to declare on 425-9, having added 315 runs after the fall of their sixth wicket.

Reflecting on his innings, Bavuma acknowledged that he had often found himself batting with South Africa in difficult positions.

“But I think what was nice was my ability to take it even further and make it count,” he said.

And make it count he did.

Australia were subsequently dismissed for 99 in their first innings, with Jansen claiming 5-33, before being forced to follow on.

Despite Travis Head’s second-innings century, the tourists were bowled out for 295 on the final day as South Africa completed a remarkable turnaround from their 214-run defeat in Durban.

Bavuma’s contribution was particularly significant given the circumstances in which he arrived at the crease and the quality of Australia’s pace attack.

Having helped South Africa defeat Australia in last year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s, the skipper once again played a decisive role against the same opponents.

With the series now level at 1-1, Bavuma and his Proteas will head to Newlands for Tuesday’s decider with an opportunity to complete the comeback.

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images